Decomposing key leads

[Tony Caught]

Hi all,

1.  Whilst working in China one old piano worker said they put beeswax into the lead when molten to ensure the lead doesn't oxidise.

2. When living in Darwin I shaved the leads on a piano then painted them. 5 years later I had to reshave some of them. Another 5 years passed and I replaced them, mended split keys and decided I should ham replaced them in the first place.

3. Leads seem to grow, oxidise or whatever in just about every type or brand of piano. Have seen it in Feurichs, Yamahas, Seilers, American pianolas etc but not in the older Chinese pianos.


Tony Caught
Australia
0427 850 737
acaught at internode.on.net

 o----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Erwinspiano at aol.com 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 1:53 AM
  Subject: Re: Decomposing key leads


  In  ALl
    I'm currently rebuilding a Conover Model 88 grand that has the problem in both the key leads & underlevers leads. The Keys were full _O_ lead & growing a bit.  The underlevers are showing corrosionns with no visible spreading.  The available under levers will not work here unfortunately or I'd just replace. SO I'm considering what to do.  Keith Roberts said he thought it was impurities in the lead & not actual oxidation . Terry's comment about trimming were encouraging considiering he Lives in a damp invironment & is not seeing a problem after treatments of sorts.
    Still the remedy for the under levers, is undecided.  The pianos is how old?  uh huh & it's not really a problem but ......mudle muddle,muddle.
    What to do
    Dale
      In this particular case the suggestions of some to coat the exterior of the leads may indeed reduce exposure chance. Also, if there is any worry about it, David Love's suggestion to just replace the leads and be done with it is certainly a valid solution - perhaps the best - it is really not a major job.

      Terry Farrell






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